papillon
2011-01-23 03:53:16
Hi There,
All new US boats from Canada must admeasure under 5 net tons. Not a sure thing now. I just ought a 34 foot gillnetter that barely made it. Don't buy with out an admeasure clause. The only admeasure guy is Bob Bell 360-598-4256. Expect to pay $2500 +. Hope this helps.
SCOTT
Once and Future
2011-01-23 15:41:42
For what it's worth, the law says you must get the admeasure to bring a vessel of Canadian manufacture to work in Alaska fisheries. You may get lucky and somehow get your Alaska numbers without the admeasure. Knowing my luck, I just went by the book. Here is the reasoning behind admeasures being required, as I understand it: The government was trying to support American boatbuilders by requiring that vessels used in commercial fishing be American made. But, there is an exception for small boats. The admeasure is the mechanism that proves the boat in question is small enough for the loophole to apply. The "tons" in this case is a volume measurement. I understand that some boats as long as 50' might be small enough, depending on their hold arrangement.
On the upside, the guy who does the admeasures is a pleasant older gentleman, not some slimy con artist like I was half expecting. (I thought his last name was "Best" not "Bell" but I could be wrong.)
Another important factor in your purchase, it may be wise to take possession of the boat on the ocean beyond the International boundary. This is so that the province and Canadian feds can't claim you are subject to any sales taxes.
Let me say this - I was impressed with the folks at PBBI boat brokers, even though I did not end up buying one of their boats. The unknowns and the extra expenses of not using a broker meant the money saved on brokerage fees benefited the seller, not the buyer.
Call Mr. Kim at Kims Marine Documentation in Seattle. He is one of the world specialists in this arena. He will give you the straight and skinny about it. And just for kicks, ask him if its legal!
AKWaterBum
2011-01-24 02:04:09
Thanks for the info.... Sounding like a big pain in the butt and in the pocket book!
AK.
kjwelder
2011-01-31 00:56:48
When I purchased my 43' troller 2 years ago I went through the admeasure process. If I remember correctly, the tonnage certificate is required to get the vessel Ak numbers. I don't think that the vessel can be documented if it was built in Canada. I have had no trouble with insurance or fishing licensing.
Bob Best bestcz@aol.com is the Tonnage Admeasurer who will perform the measurements for about $1250.00 in my case. American Bureau of Shipping will provide the tonnage certificate with vessel information. this ran about another grand.
My boat weighs 30 tons in the straps and admeasured 4 net tons.
best of luck,
kj